Top softballers have some fun

Tajia Acierto didn't quite look right in royal blue, but she sure played right.

The Kapolei senior hurled Team Maxima to a 5-2 win over Team Armada yesterday in a pivotal matchup in the inaugural New City Nissan Softball Classic.

The crowd at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium enjoyed moderate weather and a multitude of close games between the four all-star teams. In all, six games were played.

The win boosted Maxima to 3-0 in the round-robin format -- with all three wins credited to Acierto -- and secured a spot in today's semifinals at Central Oahu Regional Park. Play begins at 5 p.m., with the title game to follow.

"We have good team chemistry, even though we're all from different schools," said Acierto, who has interest from Hawaii Pacific but may enroll at UH. She aspires to become a registered nurse like her mother.

"It's been fun playing against everyone and meeting them," she added.

Acierto, a four-year starter and the 2004 player of the year when she led the Hurricanes to the state title, wasn't in her usual teal and black. Still, she showed her true colors as a two-way threat, belting an RBI triple.

JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM
Anita Manuma of Campbell pitched for Team Titan against Team Armada during one of yesterday's games.

That hit came in a breakout five-run fourth inning for Maxima. Brook Gascon-Vea (Farrington) ripped a single to right and came in to score on a single by Agesha Lightsy (Kahuku). Vernadine Vickers (Nanakuli) also came in to score on a passed ball before Acierto belted her triple to right center, scoring Lightsy.

Acierto scored on the play thanks to an Armada throwing error. That gave Maxima a 5-0 lead.

Armada rallied in the bottom of the fourth. Shyenne Hussey (Kailua) swatted an RBI single down the right-field line. Moments later, Corrie Nishikida (Pearl City) sent a fly ball into foul territory, where right fielder Charina Sumner (Kamehameha) made the catch next to the fence and threw out baserunner Kaui Tom (Kamehameha) at home plate.

JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM
Team Armada left fielder Kanani Numata of Pearl City dispatches a short fly ball in yesterday's play.

That silenced Armada until the bottom of the seventh, when Tom doubled to right to score Casey Sugihara (Pearl City).

Vickers, playing center field, made a diving catch of a liner off the bat of Nishikida to end the game.

Vickers, a first-team All-OIA shortstop, played both positions during the day.

"She ran into the fence in one of our other games," Acierto said. "She does a lot for our team."

Acierto could set a standard by winning two more games tonight, but is hoping for a reprieve.